1. Yes, the story is real. I wanted to have a ton of bands in my backyard for a party …. aaaand my wife said no.
2. Watching 20/20 made me realize that my party needed a cause.
3. Cancer was a no brainer; a lot of people I know have died from cancer.
4. Lavender is the color for all cancers. Yes, I was surprised too!
5. Surprise, we have five people that maintain the Walla-Pa-Looza page on Facebook. I have an iPhone, so yes I am on Facebook a lot, but come on….
6. People ask me all the time – "what the hell is Walla-Pa-Looza or Wappa Loza or Wata po latsa". Yeah, I know, I get tired explaining it but those that "get it" donate and support us.
7. People do make fun of what we do. I have heard them. I laugh – I used to do that too!
8. Our website is run by someone with a ton of IT experience. I am glad he is a friend. I would like to grow old with him and his family.
9. I would like to grow this organization to the point of no return. I think I can, I have the right volunteers.
10. The event will stay here. No arguments. McHenry/Johnsburg is home.
11. I am a perfectionist, I expect the volunteers to run with ideas, but fit and finish is important.
12. I write most of my blogs way before the actual post date. I write constantly.
13. Almost all of the bands donate time to play. Support them! They are great local bands. If you are not sure which ones donated time, facebook or email me privately and I will tell you.
14. I get a ton of phone calls, e-mails and notes about people with cancer.
15. The core group that sits on the board work for free. I think thats sad because they all deserve something. Maybe one day, we will be big enough to reward the hard work they do.
16. I do not have final say. I make sure everything goes to a vote.
17. Nick Bionda kicks ass selling Walla-Pa-Looza to sponsors and vendors.
18. Kevin Donlan is our Marketing/Legal/Finance guy. I encourage you to make him smile. He has to babysit me – think about that for a minute …
19. I receive about 150 emails a day. Yeh, I know crazy right?
20. I shop like everyone else and the funny thing is, people talk about the "WALTA PU LUUTZA" in front of me. I don’t interrupt. I feel like The Unknown Comic.
21. I never go online when I am on Facebook. I learned quickly that chatting with 25 people is crazy.
22. Because of Facebook & Walla-Pa-Looza I have regained some incredible relationships that I would never, ever give up.
23. Volunteering is a great thing. I am not ashamed to admit it. It feeds my soul.
24. We will always include local bands in our events.
25. The date is July 31st. It starts at 2:00p. 4 great bands 4 cancer, please come out, you won’t be disappointed.

You might have noticed that we have a countdown clock on the home page. A lot like this one:

I know, its kind of over the top, but it is meant to remind all of us that at some point we need to get serious about raising money in our community for cancer and cancer research. You have all read my sappy blog’s about giving back, it being “our turn”, anything being possible or Nick Bionda saying “you can’t do this alone”.

Well folks, it’s true – without the help of volunteers, many of the medical opportunities for people diagnosed with cancer would not be possible.

I know what you are thinking, “Hey, Craig, I have insurance”. Yep, me too! But the reality is, insurance only covers so much. The million dollars your insurance company gives you will burn up in a New York minute. Just ask someone that has had to go through it. They will be the first to tell you.

The $80,000 that Relay For Life just raised in one weekend was amazing, but it’s only a drop in the bucket. It was nice to hear about the turn out they had, the money raised and the volunteers that showed up. It was also nice for Walla-Pa-Looza to be recognized.

So, this year at Walla-Pa-Looza, we are asking for more.

More attendees, more donations, and more awareness.

Those of you that know me know I am always looking for ways to promote our event so I am hoping you looked up and saw our air banner flying around promoting Walla-Pa-Looza at Fiesta Days in McHenry. Or maybe you have seen our group passing out flyers on the grounds there. What about having Cover Blondz play for us at the parade? Maybe Star 105.5? Maybe you saw our wacky commercial on Facebook or our web site? Anyway, look around the area. We will be displaying banners around town, yard signs and anything we can come up with. We are doing our part.

What about you? Can you invite the neighbor? Maybe the cousin that likes to listen to live music? Either way, your help would be appreciated.

To recap, here is the “Who and When” of our bands this year:

On July 31, 2010 at the Johnsburg Community Club our Walla-Pa-Looza main stage will feature four great local bands:

Two Chicks that Rock!	2:30-4:00
Current and Classic Rock	4:30-6:00
90′s Rock and Originals	6:30-8:30

And finally, to close out the evening on the main stage:

Infinity – The Midwest’s Premier Journey Tribute Band

Our second stage is something new this year. We have put together a High School Battle of the Bands. This competition is for high school bands to showcase their talent and gives them the opportunity to win cash prizes, recording time and play on the main stage at Walla-Pa-Looza 2011. We are hoping this will bring us some new attendees and allow us to attract the younger generations. As you have heard me say, we are hoping this event will become timeless and the only way that will happen is to include some younger folks.

Here are the bands that will be competing:

An event recap will be posted next Monday. In the meantime, get ready to rock McHenry County!

See you on Saturday.

Craig

Craig and Joanne Wallace

Craig Allen Wallace – International Man of Mystery? Not really. But being the wife of what one friend calls “The most charitable man I know” has its ups and downs.

I think back to when this all began. Many of you already know the story of how this started. In case you don’t here is the cliff note version.

Craig wanted to have a big party with bands in our backyard. I, as the voice of reason, said, “No”. He then asked a month or so later if I would agree to the big party with bands if it were to help a charity. Still being the voice of reason, I said, “Ok, but not in our backyard”. So, my take charge husband went out and found a place to have the event.

We even joked that we’d call it “Walla-Pa-Looza” after our name, Wallace. Cancer became our charity of choice because it affects everyone. Well, the name stuck, and Craig got his very successful and fun party.

When my husband gets an itch to do something, you better believe it is going to get done. It always amazes me how he gets an idea, goes with it, and usually has great success. But even Craig would agree with me that all of what was one simple idea in his head never could have become reality without all of our wonderful volunteers who give up so much to support this important cause. I know Craig wouldn’t want me to just write only about him – even in a blog that is supposed to be about him! That is his way.

He always says that you can’t just sit back and expect others to try to make a difference in this world. He is a great man who is very passionate in what he believes – in his relationships with family and friends, and in life. Anyone that truly knows Craig would agree. You always know what you are going to get with him and he never tries to be someone he is not. What you see is what you get.

What you may “get” may be loud, and even sometimes crabby! But when you know Craig after awhile you just let that pass. Because you know that same man would give you the shirt off his back, or time he really doesn’t have, to create such an enormous thing we like to call “Walla-Pa-Looza” just to help others.

In taking on such a huge responsibility, some things do have to suffer. I joke that I have to make appointments with him to compare calendars, because we are both so busy. I also say that I am the last one to know anything. Our kids sometimes feel it a bit too. Craig does try very hard to do as much with them as he can to make up for it like coaching BOTH of their baseball teams!

Even though the kids and I sometimes feel a little neglected because he is so involved in things and we don’t always get to spend as much time with him as we would maybe like, we do understand that what he is doing is a wonderful thing that will help many. It is so cute to see our kids explain to their friends or even other adults what their dad does. There is such pride in their eyes and their words as they speak of him.

As I wrap up my entry, I feel the need to add one more thing. My mother, who died of cancer when I was pregnant with our first son, had a special relationship with Craig. They both shared a love of music (Elvis, to be precise!), a love of gab, (made even more fun with a cocktail or two) and a love for me. My mom always told me that Craig was her favorite son-in-law. She was very good at reading people. I think she knew all of the wonderful things Craig was going to achieve one day. I know that she is looking down on him with pride.

So, I guess I should say “No, don’t take my husband – Please!! You can’t have him. Well, Ok. I guess we can share”.

Joanne

Craig is taking the next couple of weeks away from blogging. That means that for the next couple of blog posts you get to hear from some of the "Walla-teers". I’m the first one.

Today I received an email from Simple Truths – The Gift of Inspiration about a book titled Pulling Together by John Murphy. The email shared an excerpt from “Lessons from Geese” author unknown, and I thought of Walla-Pa-Looza.

Yes, I am about to compare the Walla-Pa-Looza gang to a flock of geese.

As geese flap their wings, they create uplift for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if any bird were to fly alone.

If we share a common direction and a sense of community, we can get where we are going more quickly and easily because we are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go, and we will be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position.

If we take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership as with the geese, we become interdependent with one another. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those upfront to keep their speed. If we “honk,” we need to make sure it is positive and encouraging.

All of the people that are involved with Walla-Pa-Looza want to make a positive impact in the community and help local families that have been afflicted with cancer and we need the community’s help in order to accomplish this task. Without the help of the community, sponsors, companies that donate items, time, or gift certificates, the bands that donate their time and talent, restaurants that donate proceeds as well as other organizations, volunteers, step stools, stools and chairs Walla-Pa-Looza would not be what it is today. All of us are very grateful for all of the help and generosity.

In closing, one more quote from the book: “Looking beyond oneself, asking for help or accepting help can feel risky. But people are not given life to simply take from one another. We are here to give.”

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Walla-Pa-Looza Raisin’ Cash for Cancer 2010 on Saturday, July 31!

The best is yet to come!

A week or so ago, Kevin Donlan, our Marketing / Finance / Legal advisor and all around good guy, attended the American Cancer Societies – Relay For Life kick off event. I did not attend as I have been to quite a few meetings over the past few months and decided to take some time to relax. Ok, we all know I had Jimmy Buffet tickets.

Well, according to Kevin, these folks were really excited about what we have been doing and that made me feel pretty good. We were the top sponsor on the t-shirts and everything!

As you may or may not know, we were the new kids on the block and here we are being recognized by the Relay For Life folks as the local player in the fight against cancer! If any of you remember I started this as a thought, a party in a backyard and well look at us now. I used to say to our volunteers were the “C” students of fundraising. Well, because of you and your friends we are being recognized as a local force that raises money for the “C” word! People are starting to take notice. So give the volunteers an A+! I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and the amazing people that show up at our events.

I never dreamed that this would become so important to those in the community. I had told a few of our volunteers that we will continue to support the American Cancer Society but will try to find ways to give back to the community as YOU are the ones that are showing up, raising money and spreading the word. I have said it before and I will say it again, it starts local. You made this happen, not me. I know it’s a cliché but I will say it time and time again.

Anything’s Possible.

You have made it perfectly clear to me that you care, you give and you support.

We are less than 30 days away folks …

For more information on Relay For Life click on the American Cancer Society link on our home page.

Mark Olson - Walla-Pa-Looza Volunteer

Ladies and Gentleman I present to you….

Behind the scenes here at the Walla-Pa-Looza world wide headquarters we are always coming up with ideas to grow our events. We talk, email and bounce things off each other all the time. So, when someone comes up with something good, we run with it. A lot of people think that I am this one man wrecking crew. Well, the truth is, I do some wrecking but we have an incredible group of volunteers. Since I put together this organization in May of 2009 I had an outpour of people that called me or e-mail me wanting to do something. Some of them, well all of them work behind the scenes never asking for recognition.

So, without further ado I present to you Mark Olson. Mark is one of the volunteers that flies under the radar but is always first to do anything thats necessary. Mark and I have known each other for over twenty years. Although we did not hang out during those past twenty years we have been able to reconnect because of Facebook. So, when Mark came to me and asked “what can I do?” we assigned him some tasks. Since then Mark has become our go to guy when it comes to selling tickets, loading and unloading bands, setting up, breaking down and much, much more!

Mark is one of our best volunteers. He brings a positive attitude, a sense of humor and a big heart. Those traits will take him a long way in life and I am glad to have him on our team. When you have a group like we do it helps to have people like Mark who just go with the flow. Since reconnecting with Mark I found out that he loves football, the Cubs, snowmobiling, fishing and his family. He is also married to Lauri Olson who happens to be the Village President of Richmond, Illinois. So, when you see Mark loading gear or selling drink tickets at Walla-Pa-Looza say hello. Thanks again Mark. It’s nice to have you on our side!

Mark volunteers for Walla-Pa-Looza and you can too! Hit the contact us page on our website today. If you cannot volunteer, spread the word, invite a neighbor or become a friend of ours at http://www.facebook.com/wallapalooza.

CW

Becoming the guy that decided to throw a party in his backyard and then turning it into a fund raising effort certainly has its ups and downs. My “need to party” has something that has been a part of my social activities since 1985. I can remember the first party I threw at my parent’s house in Eastwood Manor like it was yesterday. Word traveled pretty fast through the halls of McHenry East Campus. The next thing I know, I have a hundred or so people wandering around, drinking liquor and doing things that I am sure would have completely shocked most of us today. But, hey, we had a need to party. Those times were different. The police would come, everyone would scatter and the guy that threw the party had to clean up, repair things and plan to basically get his ass kicked. I have to tell you the truth. IT WAS COMPLETELY WORTH IT!

My “need to party” has given me the ability to meet some incredible people and that is something I will take to my grave. That is as long as “my need” does not put me their first. But, seriously, over the years, those parties have become children’s birthday parties, Fathers Day parties, baseball picnics and anniversary parties. Funny, I am still partying but maybe just a little more laid back that’s all. Socially, I love the part where I get to introduce people I know to other people I know. The interaction is very cool. As I get older I tend to think that I am the friendship match-maker. It’s me that is the common denominator. I know it’s a pretty twisted reality, but it’s true.

Walla-Pa-Looza is living proof.

The party aspect has put me in front of a lot of fun people – the Raisin’ Cash For Cancer part has given me a nice dose of “hey pay attention dummy” reality. People die from cancer. Just take a look around. It’s starting to feel like I am constantly reading about someone that has just lost a friend to cancer or has a family member that died or was recently diagnosed and has a hell of a fight on their hands all the time. I see it from my friends on Facebook, I see it in my e-mail inbox, and I see it around my community. So partying is my way of giving back. Some run relays, some play poker, others shave heads. I party. That’s what I know.

Sometimes, we get good news. Like this past week. My close friends, Nick and Traci Bionda found out that their son Zak is still cancer free. The Bionda’s are lucky; Zak was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma and has been cancer free for sometime. I am so pleased to hear that Zak is continuing to do well. Those types of stories give me hope. Hope that other people I know will get that same kind of news. If not, I am still willing to party. Only instead of having a few people at mom and dads house I will continue to invite the 2,000+ people I know to celebrate with me. It’s a celebration of hope, dreams and cures.

See you on July 31st

Craig

PS – I hope the fathers and grandfathers had a great day yesterday. I know I did.

What a special week we had here in the Chicagoland area. We were blessed with a Stanley Cup by our Chicago Blackhawks and we had the Cross-Town Classic between the Cubs and the White Sox.

We also celebrated my son Justin’s 9th birthday. I love you very much Justin, you make me so proud!

This week I was also presented with a plaque by the Mustang Cubs for sponsoring the team. I was very proud that Walla-Pa-Looza was able give back to the community. It was so nice to see the team present it to me and say thank you. At first, I didn’t think much of it but realizing we helped contribute to the growth of the young folks in our community is pretty cool. These boys work very hard and knowing that playing baseball teaches them teamwork, sportsmanship and finding new friendships is “choice” as well. This year was special for me as I was a team coach and sponsor.

On the same day that the team presented me with our sponsorship plaque my son Justin played well enough to earn a game ball. I was very proud to see how hard he played. He had a nice hit out to right field, a stolen base and his defense was perfect. I forget how much pressure these kids put on themselves but I love teaching at this level. The coaches on our team, Jim Belfanz, Scott Rowe and I try our best to remind the kids that this is supposed to be fun. But, they want to succeed. We are not the best team in the league in fact we are one of the teams that struggle’s to win games but if we can walk away knowing that we were good role models and they learned something that will be good enough for me.

The next few weeks, things will heat up for the volunteers in Walla-Pa-Looza as we will be having another meeting and will be discussing corporate sponsorship, raffle items and much more. We have a couple more parades here locally and will be starting our advertising and marketing in the area. If you can, help us spread the word.

Also, take a look at our website. You’ll find our Paypal donate button up on the left top area of each page of the site. This gives you a quick and easy way to donate to the cause. In the coming weeks, you will also see some of our sponsors on the site as well.

Craig